It’s a concept that resonates deeply within Jewish tradition, and the story of King David’s actions after the death of Saul offers a powerful example.

The text we’re exploring today comes from Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating work of Jewish literature that weaves together biblical narrative, aggadic expansions, and moral lessons. Here, we find David, the new king, taking a truly remarkable step. He gathers the elders and nobles of Israel, and they cross the Jordan River. Their destination? Jabesh-Gilead. Their mission? To retrieve the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan.

Now, think about that for a moment. Saul wasn't exactly David's biggest fan. He was, in fact, quite the adversary, consumed by jealousy and relentlessly pursuing David. Yet, despite all that history, David goes to great lengths to honor him.

And what they find at Jabesh-Gilead is astonishing. The text tells us that no worm had touched the bones of Saul and Jonathan! This detail echoes the verse from Psalms (34:21): "He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken." It’s a powerful image, suggesting divine protection and perhaps even a hint of vindication.

They carefully place the bones in a coffin and carry them back across the Jordan, fulfilling the commandment, "And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son… and they performed all that the king commanded" (2 Samuel 21:14). But David’s actions don’t stop there.

He orders that the coffin of Saul be brought to the border of every tribe. And as the coffin passes, the people, along with their families, come out to show chesed, loving-kindness, to Saul and his sons. The idea is that all of Israel should fulfill their obligation to show this essential act of human decency.

Think about the impact of this journey. Tribe after tribe, the people publicly honor the former king. This continues until they reach the border of Saul’s own possession, the land of Benjamin in Jerusalem, where, as the text says, "And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin" (2 Samuel 21:14), near Jerusalem.

But here's where the story takes a truly remarkable turn. According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, when the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that all of Israel had shown loving-kindness to Saul, He was immediately filled with compassion. As a result, He sent rain upon the land, fulfilling the verse, "And after that God was intreated for the land" (2 Samuel 21:14).

Rain, in this context, isn’t just rain. It’s a symbol of divine favor, of blessing, and of renewal. It’s the result of collective acts of kindness and respect. The story paints a picture of a world where even in death, reconciliation and compassion can unlock blessings.

So, what can we take away from this story? Perhaps it’s a reminder that even towards those we consider our adversaries, showing respect and kindness can have profound consequences. Maybe it’s a lesson about the power of collective action, of how a community united in compassion can bring about positive change. Or maybe, it’s simply a reminder that even after death, there is still an opportunity for healing and reconciliation. It’s a powerful message that continues to resonate across generations.